China Tours

Embark on an award-winning, customized guided tour of China—the world’s fastest-changing nation. The sheer sweep of Chinese geography, history, culture and cuisine makes it perfect for tailor-made private tours. With your knowledgeable guide, hike along a particularly picturesque (and relatively uncrowded) section of China’s Great Wall for stunning v ...iews of craggy peaks, lush green forests of pine and cypress, and classic watchtowers. Lose yourself in mystical, storybook landscapes while cruising the Li River where tall picturesque formations of the karst mountains delight at every bend. In Shanghai, meander amidst the fragrant scents of one of China's finest gardens promising pagoda-style pavilions, carp pools and shimmering reflections of blossoms and bamboo. For families, our award-winning Kung Fu Panda Family Adventure tour will have your kids gazing in wonder at China’s silent Terra Cotta army, learning tai chi in a Beijing Park, applauding amazing acrobatics from VIP seats and admiring playful pandas at the Panda Research Center. Let our experts give you China, both classical and contemporary, with a personalized tour created just for you.Show More

Walk along the Great Wall, come face to face with the Terracotta Army, and visit ancient gardens and Buddhist temples. On this private guided tour, you’ll experience ancient and modern China at its absolute best.

Centuries fall away as you climb the Great Wall, look down upon the Terra Cotta Warriors, and cruise the serene waters of the Li River. Voyage through China's must-see highlights with private guides at every stop.

Cruise the Yangze River and voyage through Beijing and Shanghai on this private guided journey fit for ancient emperors. Explore China's famed monuments and locations including the Forbidden City, spiritual temples & enchanting river gorges.

Trek along the Great Wall, cycle to the famed Terra Cotta Warriors, hike around scenic rice paddies in Longsheng & much more on this active adventure. From Beijing to Shanghai you'll explore China's natural wonders and imperial legends with a private guide.

Step into prayer halls of chanting Tibetan monks in magnificent monasteries on the roof of the world, watch pandas interact in their natural habitat in Chengdu, discover the ancient sites of Beijing & much more.

From modern megacities to ancient wonders, East Asia has an incredible array of unique architecture, culture and history, waiting to be discovered. Explore the best of East Asia on this itinerary, traveling between neighbor countries Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan.

BEFORE YOU GO

Traveling in China

Offering a rare combination of history, culture and cuisine, China has long been a premier destination for travelers the world over. Going on a Chinese luxury tour is the best way to experience the country and take on the many and varied experiences it has to offer. Book your travel today to understand why so many people flock to China.

Unique Travel Experiences in China

Hutong Neighborhoods

One of the most authentic ways to tour Beijing is to walk through a Hutong neighborhood. Formed by lines of courtyards, these alley neighborhoods are a throwback to China’s dynastic period, where they were the lowest level of geographical division within a city and were complete with their own administration.

Since the 20th century, the number of hutongs has been gradually dwindling in favor of wider streets and taller apartment buildings with modern amenities. However, there has in recent years been a strong push to preserve the remaining ones so that visitors might tour the hutongs and be connected to a piece of Chinese history.

Walk around a hutong to get the full impact, stopping in a local home to have lunch.

Yangtze River

In China, the Yangtze river is known as Chang Jiang, a phrase that literally translates to “Long River.” It is a sobriquet well-earned, as it is the third-longest river in the world and the longest in Asia. Snaking through nearly 4,000 miles, it is by itself a compelling reason to plan a trip to China.

Combine luxury and nature when you set sail down the river, stopping to admire the spectacular natural vistas which include jungles, plains and the Qinghai mountains. The Yangtze is also home to some species of animal that cannot be seen anywhere else, including the snow leopard, giant panda and finless porpoise.

On a five star-cruise, marvel at the unique flora and fauna in addition to man-made installations like the world’s largest dam and electrical generator. The river also winds its way through several major cities, including Jiujang and Shanghai.

Longsheng

Looking for something a little bit off the beaten path? Look no further than Longsheng, a series of terraced rice fields that wind all the way from the riverside to the mountaintop, eventually settling more than a half-mile above sea level. Primarily built roughly 650 years ago, they took their name because the terraces bore a resemblance to dragon scales, fitting for a mountain range that looks like a dragon’s backbone.

For enterprising visitors, Longsheng offers amazing views. When the sun is reflected in the water, a glow comes across the entire field and bathes the mountain in light. It is also something of an administrative marvel, transforming barely-arable mountain land into a usable area, all through creative irrigation techniques.

Chengdu Panda Research Center

Whether it is because of their cute appearances or playful natures, giant pandas have captured the imagination of many people around the world. Sadly, however, few people ever have the opportunity to see them, as they are among the most endangered species. In fact, giant pandas have become an emblem of animal and plant conservation, a symbol for all of those who understand the importance of protecting the natural world.

One such organization is the Chengdu Research Base, located in the panda’s ancestral homeland. Here, researchers work to maintain and grow the numbers of these bruins, seeking both to understand and to protect them.

Visitors come far and wide to see the pandas, to both support the goals of the research base and see how cute the bears are in real life. If you have ever wanted to see one of the most beautiful creatures in the world up close, there is perhaps no better location.

Culinary Traditions

Chinese cuisine has been refined over thousands of years, and incorporates techniques that have been perfected over generations. In a country as vast as China, a wide range of culinary traditions were bound to emerge, with each province putting its own unique spin on the country’s food. There are eight dominant regional cuisines, each with its own style and strengths.

They are:

Cantonese: The most popular style globally, Cantonese cuisine tends to favor stewing, braising and mild sauces with a light sweetness. Hong Kong is the epicenter for this kind of cooking, which takes full advantage of coastal proximity in its fine seafood dishes.

Sichuan: Bold flavors abound in Sichuan cuisine, with notes of chili, garlic, ginger and peanuts suffused throughout many of the dishes. Most prominent among these spices is the Sichuan peppercorn, a seasoning rare in other regional styles.

Jiangsu: The cuisine of choice for those who are interested in luxury Chinese food tours, Jiangsu cooking is precise and artful. Often served at government functions, this style is all about fresh, balanced flavors and dynamic presentation.

Zhejiang: Mellow, fresh and seasonal, Zhejiang cuisine is like a less elaborate version of Jiangsu cooking. Often served lightly cooked or raw, the dishes of this region are low-key and delicious.

Fujian: Fujian food takes full advantage of the sea and mountains to imbue its dishes with unique and exotic flavors. Don’t miss the soups, which are bursting with unusual local spices.

Hunan: Like Sichuan food, Hunan cuisine caters to those that love to handle the heat. Steaming, smoking and sauteeing are the cooking techniques of choice, all in the service of creating bold flavors that draw on local vegetables and herbs.

Anhui: Ready to get a little wild? Anhui cuisine makes full use of the Yellow Mountains to collect the ingredients for its dishes. These local touches give the food of this region a taste you won’t find anywhere else.

Shandong: Shandong has a long coast, which is uses to great effect - the seafood is some of the best in the world. Simple ingredients and impeccable technique really allow the taste of the fish to shine brightly.

Passport Requirements for China Tours

A passport that is valid for at least six months after the end of your trip is required for both U.S. and Canadian citizens to enter and depart the country. Please ensure that the name on your passport matches all travel documents we have issued. If this is not the case, please contact us immediately.

Please make a photocopy of your passport’s identification page and keep it separate from your original. It’s also a good idea to leave a digital copy with someone at home. This may speed up the replacement process should you lose your passport.

Visa Requirements for China Tours

Visas are required by all nationalities to enter China; except when visiting Hong Kong and Macau. Single-entry visas are normally valid for three months, double-entry for six months, and multiple-entry for six, 12 or 24 months. You will need to apply for your visa independently, through a local consulate or using a visa issuing service.

For more visa information please visit:

America: www.travisa.com

Canada: www.travisa.ca

Insurance Recommendations for China Tours

Cancellation and Medical Insurance is highly recommended as it can safeguard against the expenses associated with in-country medical emergencies, lost or delayed baggage and emergency cancellation or interruption of your trip. Please ensure your policy will provide you with upfront medical coverage so that you are not responsible for a hefty doctor’s bill while away. Insurance can be purchased through us.

Vaccination Requirements for China Tours

No vaccinations are required to enter China. We do recommend the following vaccinations:

Diphtheria

Hepatitis A

Malaria

Rabies

Tetanus

Typhoid

Japanese Encephalitis

Some vaccines require more than one dose or a major length of time to be effective. For that reason, it is recommended to see your doctor or health provider at least 6 to 8 weeks before your trip. For all vaccinations and health requirements, you can also refer to the recommendations from:

World Health Organization (WHO): http://www.who.int and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://wwwnc.cdc.gov.

Medication Requirements for China Tours

If there are any medical items essential to your health, such as prescription drugs or corrective eye wear, bring duplicates and divide them between your checked bags and hand luggage. While non-prescription drugs such as aspirin are generally available, it is difficult to replace prescription items.

Other recommended Items:

Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), after-sun lotion, lip balm, sunglasses

Insect repellent with a high concentration of DEET (at least 30 percent)

Weather, Seasons and Climate in China

China’s extreme size means it has a great diversity of climates, but being located entirely in the northern hemisphere means its seasonal timings are broadly comparable to those in Europe and the US. The northeast experiences hot and dry summers and bitterly cold winters. The north and central region has almost continual rainfall, hot summers and cold winters. The southeast region has substantial rainfall, with semi-tropical summers and cool winters. For up-to-date forecasts, check www.weather.com.

Clothing and Essential Items for China Travel

What clothes to wear depends on the season you travel and what kind of activities you are taking part in on your trip. China has varied weather systems from North to South, and so you may need to prepare for multiple climates. If visiting the mountainous regions, bring along a jacket for cooler evenings. In general, we recommend packing multiple layers for the changing temperatures.

FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS: Video camera, camera with zoom lens in a dust-resistant case, sufficient memory cards, a spare camera battery and charger. Photography is not allowed in certain religious buildings, especially temples. So be sure to ask permission before you take a photo.

Electricity, Phone and Internet in China

Electricity: 220V is used across the whole of China. Socket types and sizes do vary however, but adapters can often be borrowed from the hotel. Laptop and phone chargers usually work on both 110v/220v. Do not use 110V outlets marked ‘FOR SHAVERS ONLY’ for anything else as they will not work and may even get damaged.

Internet: High speed and Wi-Fi connections are readily available in the major towns and cities, but once you enter rural areas the internet becomes harder to find. Please note that it is extremely difficult to access Facebook in China. Wi-fi and internet service provided in properties is at the discretion of each establishment and Kensington Tours has no control over this. Please feel free to check with your Sales Consultant before travel if you’d like to know internet set up at each of your properties or contact the properties directly so you are aware of their internet policy if this is important to you. You may like to speak to your internet provider prior to travel to arrange a roaming package.

Currency in China

The currency used in China is the Renminbi (RMB). We recommend that you get a small amount of local currency from your bank before you leave home. Your bank card will likely work, and Visa or MasterCard are widely accepted. You will need a 4-digit PIN to be able to use your cards. Please note that it is much cheaper to exchange US dollars at a hotel in China. For current exchange rates please visit www.xe.com

Quick Facts for a China Tour

Capital: Beijing

Language: Mandarin and Cantonese

Currency: Renminbi (RMB)

Religion: Buddhism and Taoism

Time Zone: GMT +8

Electricity: 220 Volt, 50 Hz

Telephone: Country code for calling is 86

Calling North America: Dial 001 plus area code and your 7-digit number

Emergency numbers in China: 999 Beijing and Shanghai. Rest of the country: 110 for police; 119 for fire; 120 for ambulance; 122 for traffic accident

See What Our

CLIENTS ARE SAYING

See What Our

CLIENTS ARE SAYING

Kristine K., February 10, 2016
"Our guide Jerry in Beijing was exceptional. Our guide May in Pingyao was excellent.Cindy Kwan did a wonderful job putting a great itinerary."

Erin W., January 9, 2016
" It was a magical honeymoon and we can't wait to go back someday for our anniversary. "

Raymond D., October 1, 2015
"Overall the trip was a success."

Jatin P., September 24, 2015
"We had a great time and we will use Kensington tours for our future trips."